2026 GS-15 Pay in Fresno
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA earn 17.65% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $148,691 in Fresno.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Fresno
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $148,691 | $5,718.88 | $71.25 | +$22,307 |
| Step 2 | $153,647 | $5,909.50 | $73.62 | +$23,050 |
| Step 3 | $158,604 | $6,100.15 | $76.00 | +$23,794 |
| Step 4 | $163,561 | $6,290.81 | $78.37 | +$24,538 |
| Step 5 | $168,517 | $6,481.42 | $80.75 | +$25,281 |
| Step 6 | $173,474 | $6,672.08 | $83.12 | +$26,025 |
| Step 7 | $178,430 | $6,862.69 | $85.50 | +$26,768 |
| Step 8 | $183,387 | $7,053.35 | $87.87 | +$27,512 |
| Step 9 | $188,344 | $7,244.00 | $90.25 | +$28,256 |
| Step 10 | $193,300 | $7,434.62 | $92.62 | +$28,999 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Fresno
Each step below already includes the 17.65% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $148,691 | $5,718.88 | $71.25 | +$22,307 |
| Step 2 | $153,647 | $5,909.50 | $73.62 | +$23,050 |
| Step 3 | $158,604 | $6,100.15 | $76.00 | +$23,794 |
| Step 4 | $163,561 | $6,290.81 | $78.37 | +$24,538 |
| Step 5 | $168,517 | $6,481.42 | $80.75 | +$25,281 |
| Step 6 | $173,474 | $6,672.08 | $83.12 | +$26,025 |
| Step 7 | $178,430 | $6,862.69 | $85.50 | +$26,768 |
| Step 8 | $183,387 | $7,053.35 | $87.87 | +$27,512 |
| Step 9 | $188,344 | $7,244.00 | $90.25 | +$28,256 |
| Step 10 | $193,300 | $7,434.62 | $92.62 | +$28,999 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Fresno pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Fresno: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2026, the Fresno pay area adds a 17.65% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Fresno
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Fresno earns roughly $5,719 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,435. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Fresno
GS-15 in Fresno questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Fresno?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Fresno earns $148,691 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $193,300. This is 17.65% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Fresno?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Fresno in 2026, it is 17.65%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,307 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Fresno?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Fresno earns roughly $5,719 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.